Listen 3: Don't Fish Alone Series

🎣 Listen 3: Don't Fish Alone

Text: Luke 5:4–7 (KJV)

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net. (Obedience makes the dream work)

6 And when they had this done, they in closed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

________________________________________

🧭 Introduction

Let’s be honest — fishing can be peaceful… until it’s not.

I’ve heard folks say, “I love fishing alone — just me, the water, and the Lord.” (Let’s face it, if you have said this, you are not in the mode to catch fish, but resting is what’s on your mind.) I can relate to this!

But have you ever really gone fishing alone and hooked on something bigger than you were ready for?

You start out just trying to enjoy a little quiet time — then suddenly, you’ve got a 15-pound fish on the line, the boat’s rocking, your phone’s ringing, and your lunch just floated downriver. At that moment, you’re not thinking, “What a peaceful day,” — you’re shouting, “Lord, send backup!”

________________________________________

Fishing alone might be relaxing when you’re after bluegill — but if God sends a net-breaking, boat-sinking, soul-saving blessing, you better not be out there solo!

That’s what we see in Luke 5 — Peter obeyed Jesus and cast the net, but when the miracle came, he couldn’t handle it by himself. The nets began to break. The boat began to sink. The blessing was bigger than what one man could carry or erven one boat.

And what did Peter do? He called his partners.

He didn’t say, “Let me figure it out myself.”

He didn’t say, “This is my blessing, I caught this fish!”

No — he beckoned his partners in the other boat to come and help. And when they came, the Bible says both boats were so full, they began to sink.

That’s what happens when you don’t fish alone.

That’s what happens when the church learns to partner.

That’s what happens when pride steps aside and unity takes over.

________________________________________

Jesus called us to be fishers of men — not lone rangers with a gospel rod and reel.

You need a team. You need a church. You need people who will grab the net with you when the harvest comes in.

Today’s message is all about that (Don’t Fish Alone!):

• Why are we not meant to reach the lost alone,

• How God uses partnership to accomplish the mission,

• And how the greatest moves of God often begin when people stop working apart and start moving together.

So, let’s launch out into the deep — and let’s bring somebody with us.

Key Thought:

Jesus gave the disciples a miracle they couldn’t manage alone. Why? Because ministry and evangelism were never meant to be solo sports — they are team efforts.

________________________________________

📖 I. Partnership Makes the Load Lighter

• Peter obeyed and cast the net — but the catch was too big for him to handle alone.

• When the blessing is bigger than the bucket, you need backup.

Modern Hook:

“You ever try to move a fridge by yourself? You might get it started… but you’ll pay for it with a back brace and a regret!”

Scripture Support:

• Ecclesiastes 4:9–10: “9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

• Galatians 6:2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Application:

• Ministry is about collaboration, not competition.

• Don't just build followers — build a faith family that supports each other in the mission.

• There’s another reason why you don’t won’t to do it by yourself. Pride!

________________________________________

🤝 II. Everyone Has a Part to Play

• The other boat didn’t complain — they came to help and share the catch.

• God blesses shared obedience.

Modern Connection:

“Not everyone’s the preacher with the mic — but someone’s got to row the boat, untangle the net, and cook the fish!”

Examples:

• Evangelism includes greeters, intercessors, encouragers, and those who quietly show love behind the scenes.

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (KJV) 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.